Homemade Almond Milk
Jump to recipeWhile you can buy a variety of milk alternatives at the grocery store–including almond milk, hemp milk, flax milk, coconut milk and more–you can also make your own at home. Compared to store bought brands, you will find homemade almond milk to be creamier and possibly even taste better.
Making your own milk alternatives also puts you in control of the ingredient list. You can omit the additives and preservatives such as oils, gums, sweeteners, and even carrageenan that are commonly found in commercial products. It also provides a variety of nutrients including plant protein, antioxidants, vitamins (riboflavin and vitamin E) and protein. Business Insider revealed that store bought almond milk actually only contains about a handful of almonds which means that unlike traditional milk or a larger serving of almonds, store bought almond milk is void of much protein.
As a bonus, making your own may help increase digestion and absorption. The recipe asks you to soak the nuts for 12 hours. Raw nuts contain moderate levels of phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors. Phytic acid is considered an “anti-nutrient,” meaning it can inhibit the digestion and decrease nutrient absorption. Soaking the nuts helps to remove salt residue and neutralize their phytic acid content, making the nutrient easier to absorb.
The good news is that making nut milk is simple and inexpensive. You don’t have to be a culinary expert to make your own nut milk from scratch. The process truly is simple. AND as an added bonus, making your own milk is actually cost effective. All you need is your nut of choice, filtered water and a blender. You can even customize your milk by adding raw ingredients like Himalayan pink salt, vanilla bean pod, dates, raw cacao powder or cinnamon. To create a savory profile, add spices like cayenne or curry and use the nut milk as the base for sauces, soups or purees.
So why not make your own? You may enjoy the fresh and delicious flavors so much that you decide to skip another carton from the shelf. Try out this recipe that was adapted with permission from Matthew Kenney Culinary Cuisine.
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Homemade Almond Milk
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds, soaked and rinsed (may substitute cashews, walnuts, or hazelnuts)
- 3 cups filtered water
- Dash of salt
- Optional: raw cacao powder, vanilla, cinnamon
Instructions
- Soak nuts overnight for at least 12 hours. Softer nuts like cashews do not need to be soaked as long due to their soft texture.
- Add nuts and water to blender.
- Blend well for several minutes until mixture becomes smooth, white and creamy.
- Strain mixture into a large bowl through a sprout bag or cheese cloth.
- Save remaining pulp and dehydrate if desired for almond flour.
- Clean out blender jar and return the strained nut milk back to the jar.
- Add a dash of himalayan salt.
- Can also add a pinch of preferred spice (sweet or savory),1 tsp vanilla or vanilla pod, or 1-2 Tbsp raw cacao powder (for a chocolate variation).
- Store and refrigerate almond milk in an airtight container until ready to use.
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Almond Milk
Serves: 3 cups (1/2 cup servings)
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 125.4kcals | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 10.8g | 16.6% | |
| Saturated Fat .8g | 4% | |
| Trans Fat 0g | ||
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0 | |
| Sodium 29.1mg | 1.2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 4.7g | 1.6% | |
| Dietary Fiber 2.7g | 10.8% | |
| Sugars .9g (0 grams added sugar) | ||
| Protein 4.6g | ||
| Vitamin A 0% | Vitamin C 0% | |
| Calcium 6% | Iron 4% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
BeingBrigid
Recipe Created by Melissa Pilat, Registered Dietitian
Photo by Nikolai Chernichenko on Unsplash